KishouDoragon quickly slowed down to a stop, and the Crystalis Armor's limiters reactivated, causing the brilliant, azure glow to fade from his armor. KishouDoragon's hands separated as the head casings slipped back onto his forearms, and he lowered them to his sides. Turning around, KishouDoragon held out its right arm, signaling the Ancient to return to GaiaDraken's cockpit.

"Let's go. We might as well make sure that she's through."

Several minutes later, something burning red was descending from the atmosphere, coming in at high speeds. Shooting out from across the oceans were numerous winged creatures, skimming over the ice-cold waves, towards devastated Antarctica. Fresh from the atmosphere, KishouDoragon leveled out over the water, joining the flight of the Dragon Tribes, and together, they sped towards the old battlefield.

The Dragons were soon circling over Sheena and Kujo, silent as they did. KishouDoragon soon appeared, slowly descending towards the snowy wastes where Sheena and Kujo were. Settling down, the ground rumbled slightly from the impact, and the Drake of Braves looked down at the two.

R.D. narrowed his eyes as he looked down at them, then spoke through the intercom. "Okay, Juno, you know more than I do on this. Is Sheena free from Kuro's transformation?"

"Yeah, alright," R.D.'s voice replied through the intercom. "Just... give me a minute. I'm not quite sure how to get out just yet."

Five minutes later, KishouDoragon was no more--the three Dragon Spirits, worse for wear but intact, had disconnected from the Super Mechanoid, and Tamaran had reconfigured into his normal appearance. The three Dragon Spirits were off to the side, their structures being examined and repaired by some of the dragons. Other dragons were flitting through the skies, to and fro, carrying bodies: the slain remains of Derek's army, recovered now that the centuries-long war between the Dragon Tribes and the Ice Dragons had come to an end.

Tamaran's long neck lowered down to the snow, mouth open, and R.D. clambered out, his body now normal in appearance, devoid of the glow of the Crystalis that had surrounded him while he acted as the Crystalis Server for KishouDoragon. Relayia was quickly at his side, settling down on her legs and folding her wings in. Checking himself for a moment, he made his way over to Sheena and Kujo, with Relayia by his side.

He held out his hand to the couple in greeting. His face expressed no malice, only exhaustion.

Edited by RisingDragon on October 4, 2008 at 11:03:28.

R.D. shook his head, respectfully declining. "No thank you. My stamina will return in a few moments," he said after a moment. "And don't worry about what happened. I know, and the dragons know what Kuro did to you. We've met Electra already, so we were expecting this."

Beside him, Relayia nodded. "Our war has come to an end, Sheena. We have suffered grave losses, but hope looms on the horizon. Two of the Seven Beasts of the Dark Apocalypse have now fallen, and NightShade's forces diminish with their losses."

Overhead, draconic chanting rose into a crescendo, and the spell was cast, causing a wave of blue light to settle over the continent. R.D. looked up at it, and somehow, he knew that the spell would be regenerating the damage caused to the environment. Except for the mountain he had destroyed earlier. He didn't think that could be brought back.

"The one you know as Xastra is nothing more than an imposter," Relayia said wearily. "Somehow, the corrupt Ancient known as NightShade has acquired the power of the Dark Balance, and is masquerading as Kuro, taking a young girl named Maya as his Guise."

"He challenged me to a battle," R.D. continued, putting his hands into the pockets of his thick coat. "Somehow, I was able to overcome him and defeat him in battle by combining my power with his own and striking him with it. The battle overloaded Maya's body, and freed NightShade. We know who this Xastra is. I don't think the remaining five Beasts know of it."

Edited by RisingDragon on October 4, 2008 at 13:36:06.

"We'll need to prevent Donovan from learning the truth before we engage in battle against him," Relayia said, looking out at the repairing landscape. "This world is already in shambles. And if Donovan and NightShade engage in a battle for dominance, the other evils on this planet will surely take advantage of the situation."

"For now that won't be a problem," Seril's voice said overhead, as the dark-blue dragon settled down behind R.D. and Relayia, her visage looking down at the Queen of Dragons. "Our contacts in Japan report that Gouki has laid siege to Shayol Ghul."

Japan, R.D. thought suddenly, remembering that Alasea was still there. He had to return. Had to let her know what happened here, how he had awakened the Drake of Braves. The Daughters of Dawn will certainly need to know about it. "Relayia," R.D. said, causing the two dragons to turn their attention to him. "I can't stay much longer. I have to return to Alasea and tell her what's happened."

Relayia nodded. "I understand. I must ask you one thing first, however," she said, causing R.D. to pause, cocking his head to the side. "What do you intend to do with Tamaran?"

"Tamaran? Well, he's a dragon, isn't he?" R.D. said, a bit confused. "Certainly he'll be in your armies."

Surprisingly, Relayia slowly shook her head. "I'm afraid not. Tamaran awoke from his long sleep because of you, R.D.. He has chosen you, for whatever reason. You hold something inside of you that is connected to him. He is your ally, now, R.D.. And you must choose what you plan to do with him."

R.D. was quiet for several moments. Turning, he looked back at the gigantic mecha dragon, his face unreadable. Tamaran stared back with yellow eyes. "You sure you want to stick around someone like me?" he suddenly asked of the mecha dragon. He responded by causing his eyes to glow once, briefly. "Alright then."

Turning back, R.D. shrugged. "Looks like he'll be staying with me for the time being," he said. Relayia nodded.

"Good luck, R.D.," she said, "We'll bring your friends to you."

R.D. nodded in thanks. He turned back to Sheena and Kujo, and made a small salute. "Good luck with the war, you two," he said. "I hope only good things happen from now forward."

R.D. nodded, pulling the device out of his pocket to look at it for a moment, then tossed it back into his pocket dimension satchel. There was a draconic cry overhead, and R.D. looked up, seeing a black-scaled dragon flying towards them. The creature landed softly in the snow ahead of the parked Dragon Spirits, and R.D. could make out the special harness the creature wore, and his three friends strapped into it.

"Hey!" he called out, raising up a hand in greeting while trudging through the snow towards Bryant, Brandon, and Veronica. "You're just in time!"

"I'm sure." Malvettix turned away. "However, the job was entrusted to me. I can handle them on my own."

"Oi!" Bryant yelled back, unstrapping himself, Veronica and Brandon followed. All three were covered in bruises and smelled of gunpowder. Brandon's hands were burnt from all the heavy gunning he provided. Veronica's shoulder hurt and Bryant's head was pounding. They ran up to the younger man all exhausted but at the same time exhilarated.

"We won!" Bryant declared proudly as he patted RD's shoulder, "Hell of a fight though." He laughed. He then sighed and let out some air.

"What's next?" Brandon asked, far more calm and collected.

"We won, too," R.D. said, looking the three of them over. They must've had a hell of a time. "But now we're gonna head back to Alli's place in Japan to rest up. Need to talk to her about some things."

As R.D. walked, he aimed a hand at AquaDraken's side, now fully repaired along with the rest of the Dragon Spirits and Tamaran, and channeled. Stone emerged from the snow, creating a ramp to the top of the machine's second segment, where the octagonal cockpit lay. "The three of you head on up into AquaDraken there. Don't worry about having to pilot it, I can tell it where it needs to go."

Turning around, R.D. walked up to Tamaran, who lowered his head down to ground level and opened his mouth up, inviting R.D. in. Stepping up on the beast's lip, he stepped inside, causing the mecha dragon to rise up and stand, ready to go at R.D.'s command.

===Xobelisk===

"Even if you don't want my help," Re-Tuul said, stowing the scale of Ziatoch away, "I'm going with you if those two reunite and go gallivanting off on another trip across the Multiverse. I'm not letting him get away from me like last time."

"Heh. If you wish."

Malvettix began walking away again. It would take some effort to throw Re-Tuul off of his trail, but it was doable. Re-Tuul could not know about his true mission.

Bryant nodded and gestured for his family to the machine. They walked up the ramp and took their seats. They strapped themselves in.

Bryant sighed in relief. He leaned back and almost seemed asleep when he then asked: "So, how many now?"

"Five." Brandon said.

Silence.

"We gonna get Gouki next?" Bryant asked.

"Maybe." Brandon said.

Silence. Sleep.

"See'ya!" R.D. said, saluting Relayia, Sheena, and the Dragon Tribes. There was a roar of fire as the thrusters ignited on Tamaran's sides, and the mecha dragon took to the air before turning in Japan's direction. Soon it was flying, and the Dragon Spirits quickly followed.

Relayia watched them go as the dragons roared their farewell.

===Japan===

Three hours had passed since Alasea had felt the strange premonition about R.D.. She still had no clue what had happened, but couldn't let it bother her for the rest of the day. Maya and Mercy had returned to the house, while she herself sat near the Pillar of Dawn, continuing her training. She did not let the foreboding, dark sight of Shayol Ghul floating in the distance distract her. All she paid attention to was her training as the sun set in the east.

Sound tickled the edge of her hearing. Suddenly alert, Alasea looked around, her hand resting on the pommel of the Megami Tsurugi. It was steadily growing louder, causing her to stand up, and look around. Something flickered at the edge of her vision, and she turned to it.

Her heart stopped at the site, eyes growing wide. Streaking across the water at high speeds seemed to be four machines shaped like dragons--three of them were white, the other, the one leading the group, dark blue and gray in appearance. And they were headed straight for her.

Within minutes, the metallic dragons had flown overhead, the two long, white, serpentine ones landing side by side and the white, winged dragon landing closer to the nearby forest. The blue one turned in the air and angled back at her, slowing down while lowering to the ground.

In one single motion, she had drawn the Megami Tsurugi and held it out in front of her, clutching its golden hilt in both hands. There were a soft, nearly unnoticeable rumble as the mecha dragon touched down several meters ahead of her. She looked up at it warily, and it stared back with glowing yellow eyes. Slowly, it opened its mouth, and Alasea readied herself.

"Hey!"

The voice disarmed her in a moment, causing her to look up in shock, nearly dropping her sword. There, standing in the mecha dragon's mouth, was R.D..

"R.D.!" she said, her voice happy. "Wh-what is this!?"

"Long story!"

The dragon lowered its head to the ground, allowing R.D. to disembark. Alasea ran up to him, throwing her arms around him and hugging him tightly, which he was only too happy to return.

===Xobelisk===

Re-Tuul watched as Malvettix walked past him, his eyeless gaze staring at Malvettix' back. The Khaglessi Patriarch did not move to follow him this time. Slowly, his eel-like face was split in his creepy joker's grin, and the creature turned around, walking the opposite way.

"Is it a man?"

"No."

"Ok, has she been on tv?"

"Yeah."

"Recently."

"Yeah."

"Does she have blond hair."

"Not anymore."

"...Britney Spears?"

"Wow, you're good." Bryant laughed as the AquaDraken landed, Veronica was still asleep. Brandon was shaking his head as the top came off and they were able to jump out. Bryant shook Veronica awake before he leaped out. After a stretch Veronica was out to.

Alasea backed away suddenly, loosening herself from R.D.'s embrace, and looking warily at the newcomers. She could see the Hartnetts disembarking from one of the three machines that had parked behind R.D. and his mecha dragon. But her eyes locked onto the two men, distrustful. She could practically feel the corruption rolling off of them in waves.

"Who are these guys?" she asked, looking at R.D..

R.D. looked at the two of them briefly. "Dokuro and Ryan Thresh, otherwise known as Reckoning. A pair of Kuro's former minions. They somehow escaped death and made their way back here to get revenge on Kuro."

"But Kuro's dead," Alasea said. R.D. nodded.

"They've decided to help Juno fight off against NightShade and the Seven Beasts."

Alasea was silent for a few moments, then finally decided to sheathe her sword. "Hi," she said, raising up a hand in greeting. "I'm Alasea."

Now with everyone together, it was time for Alasea to hear the whole story. Walking back to the house, Alasea looked back at the two former minions of Kuro and said, "Do not get close to the Pillar of Dawn," she said, pointing at the sacred totem. "There's a good chance it might kill you if you get near it. I wouldn't risk the chance if I were you."

===

A half an hour later, the group was seated around the table in Alasea's kitchen, as R.D. was finishing up his tale.

"... after we landed, we found Sheena and Kujo on the ground, already reverted back to normal," R.D. said, leaning back in his chair. "We greeted them, and explained to them that Xastra is NightShade, and not Kuro. Sheena said that if Donovan found out, he'd attack NightShade, and that'd trash the planet further. So the Dragons and Juno's remaining forces are gonna try and keep Donovan from finding out."

He looked over to Bryant. "So, what all happened in Sheena's lair while I was getting my ass kicked outside by the Ice Dragons?" he asked of the man.

"Kicking ass." Bryant responded proudly, "That and playing 20 questions." He chuckled a bit but then reached into a pocket and brought out a red emerald. He put it on the table. His hand was slightly sore already from the small pulses it gave off.

"Also, while I didn't find anything about the chrono scepter, we did find this." He gestured to the emerald. "Kinda looks like the jewels you got." He turned to Brandon.

"Category is 'Historical Leader' by the way." Bryant smirked and Brandon just sat for a moment.

"Joseph Stalin?"

"Yeah..." Bryant mumbled.

"A Chaos Emerald?" R.D. said, taking the gemstone and looking at it. "Damn. I'm glad Sheena decided not to use this on me." He stowed the Chaos Emerald in his satchel, with the other three he had collected.

Alasea looked over at the group, taking in all of the information. R.D.'s body harboring Bahamut's soul and power, Derek and his army killed, four mercenaries hired to separate R.D. from Juno, Reckoning, and Dokuro, and the dragons' prophecy of the Final Rise coming true, resulting in the awakening of Tamaran and the creation of the Dragon Spirits. R.D. becoming the Drake of Braves, KishouDoragon. It was a lot to take in. But it was late, and all of them looked tired.

"Okay, you guys," Alasea said, standing up. "I've got the guest bedrooms ready. Go get some rests. You've earned it."

R.D. nodded, and stood up as Alasea made her way to her bedroom. He made his way to one of the guest rooms and closed the door. Turning to the bed, he collapsed on it, and was almost instantly asleep.

Bryant took a long look at the table before standing and about to head up when he thought for a moment. He then smirked and turned to his family who were on their way to their rooms.

"Hey guys, lets go to my room." Bryant suggested as he entered his. They followed after a questionable look at each other.

***

"..." Bryant looked at Veronica, and Veronica at Brandon, his face was purple.

"..." Brandon exhaled largely and began panting. Bryant tried not to laugh but he did and exhaled at the same time. Veronica followed suit.

"So what was the time?" Bryant asked, panting a bit.

"Two minutes." Veronica said as she looked up at the clock that was on the wall.

***

"Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!" Bryant held out a fist, Veronica an open hand, and Brandon and other fist.

"Haha! I win again!" Veronica giggled as Bryant seemed to examine his fist. Brandon just shook his head and stood.

"Ok, I'm going to bed." He said before leaving and entering his room. Bryant looked up at the clock, it was almost one in the mourning. He yawned.

"Tired?" Veronica asked coyly. Bryant shook his head.

"No, not really." He rubbed the back of his head now.

"Good, cause I'm still wide..." She crawled on top of Bryant, "awake..." She dragged a finger across his cheek. Bryant grinned.

"Then to bed lets go." So they did and together they slept.

Night passed, dreams and nightmares with it.

Alasea and R.D. were the first ones up, waking at dawn. As Alasea was making breakfast for the group, R.D. stepped out of the bathroom, having taken a shower and cleaning his outfit. He was drawn to the kitchen and dining room, where he found Alasea, clad in a long robe.

"'Morning," he said, sitting down at the table.

"Good morning," the girl replied, looking back at R.D. with a smile. "Sleep well?"

"Eh, kinda. More dreams about that redhead," he replied, leaning back in his seat while Alasea cooked. She turned back to her utensils, keeping an eye on her food.

"Still no idea who she is, huh?" she said, taking the food off the stove and putting it on two plates. Picking up the plates, she took them to the table, setting one down in front of her friend and the other across from him before sitting in front of it.

"No," he replied as she did so. He took up his fork and began eating. After a few bites, he continued. "I'm gonna try and find out, though."

"Where will you start?"

"North America, I suppose. Since Matt, Hugo, and Juno found me there, it seems like the best place to start."

Alasea looked down at her food for a moment, taking a few bites. She didn't like being reminded of the massacre caused by Dark Dragon. "So, you'll be leaving soon."

"... yeah. Sorry."

"Don't be," she said, looking up at R.D.. "I know that this is important to you. I just miss the old times, that's all."

"Hey..."

"Hmm?"

"What was that one song we listened to all the time when we first were dating?"

"Cold Hard Bitch?"

"Yeah..."

"What about it?"

"I miss those days."

"I do to babe..."

***

About ten minutes after RD had eaten and Alasea mentioned her missing of old times, Veronica emerged downstairs. She was wearing a new set of clothes. She was tired somewhat, but ok. Brandon was right behind her.

"Where's Bryant?"

"Getting dressed." Veronica smiled as she finally entered kitchen.

"Morning kids." She beamed as the two finally put both feet on the floor in the kitchen. There was some running upstairs and Bryant finally showed up downstairs behind them.

"Hey," R.D. said, raising a hand in greeting to the Hartnetts.

"Breakfast is on the counter," Alasea said, pointing into the kitchen after straightening up her bathrobe.

R.D. looked at Bryant for a moment, having heard his running footsteps, and said to the man, "Careful there, Bryant. Maya and Mercy are still sleeping, so try not to wake them up."